MAYNE REID REMAINS IN MEXICO. CONTEMPORARY NOTICES IN THE UNITED
STATES.
Mayne Reid was laid up in the city of Mexico for some time. It was at
first supposed that amputation of the leg would be necessary; but on the
doctors consulting, they came to the conclusion that this would be
certain death, as the bullet had only just escaped severing the femoral
artery. At last, under skilful care, he made a good recovery, and by
the following December we find him on the eve of fighting a duel, but
the challenged one "backed out," his friend sending the following
letter:
"City of Mexico,
"December 19th, 1847.
"Sir,
"Captain McKinstry has received your note of yesterday, and has
requested me, as his friend, to inform you that he has not made any
remarks reflecting upon you as a gentleman and a man of honour.
"Very respectfully,
"Your obedient servant,
"John B. Grayson,
"Captain 165 A.
"Lieutenant Mayne Reid,
"N.Y. Volunteers."
The following letter from Mr Piatt was addressed to Dr Halstead, city
of Mexico:
"Mac-o-Chee, December 1847.
"Dr Halstead,
"Dear Sir,
"I address you with pain and regret on account of the late intelligence
brought us by the papers of the severe wound received by Lieutenant Reid
and his death. Whilst we look with pride upon the many gallant deeds he
performed, it but poorly remunerates us for so severe a loss. And we
should receive with sad but infinite pleasure any further account of him
whilst wounded. It is with regret that we call upon you to give us this
sad intelligence, as it may inconvenience you, but the deep interest we
felt for Mr Reid has tempted us to trouble you with these inquiries,
and remain,
"Yours respectfully,
"A.L. Piatt."
The Piatts were originally a French family, and the elder Mr Piatt, the
writer of the letter, was a great friend of Mayne Reid.
It is not given to every man to read obituary notices of himself, but
this happened to Mayne Reid more than once. So marvellous, indeed, were
his recoveries from the brink of death, that he came to be regarded by
his friends as bearing a "charmed life."
Two or three weeks after the announcement of his death, the _New York
Herald_ published a contradiction of the report:
"Through misinformation, it was currently reported that Lieutenant Mayne
Reid, whose gallant behaviour at the battle of Chapultepec called forth
a merited compliment from General Scott in one of his late dispatches,
had died of his wounds. We are informed by one of our returned officers
that although wounded severely by an escopette ball in the left leg
above the knee, he has since recovered, and intends to remain. Of
course he will be promoted."
In the _National Gazette_ of Philadelphia was printed:--"We perceive in
the list of wounded in the recent battles in Mexico, the name of
Lieutenant Mayne Reid, of New York. If we mistake not, the gentleman
named is favourably known throughout the country as a writer, and a
contributor to our leading magazines. For several years he resided in
Philadelphia. While in this city he won for himself many friends, as
well as a high literary reputation. His first essays appeared as the
compositions of the `Poor Scholar.' Lieutenant Reid is a ripe scholar
as well as a ready writer."
The following paragraph appeared in the Pittsburgh _Daily Dispatch_, in
March, 1848:--"Lieutenant Mayne Reid, whose death was reported some time
since, is about to be married to Signorina Guadaloupe Rozas, a beautiful
lady, daughter of Senator Rozas, and said to be the wealthiest heiress
in the Valley of Mexico. He formerly resided here, and was known as the
`Poor Scholar.'"